Can seniors on Social Security still get EDD benefits if laid off from full-time job?

Your supervisor is WRONG! You absolutely CAN receive both Social Security retirement benefits AND unemployment insurance at the same time in California. I went through this exact situation last year. The key factors are: 1. You were working at a W-2 job where you paid into UI 2. You were laid off through no fault of your own 3. You're still able and available for work Being on Social Security doesn't disqualify you at all. The only thing to know is that you must report your Social Security income when you certify for benefits every two weeks. But Social Security is NOT deducted from your weekly benefit amount in California (some other states do reduce UI benefits, but not CA). File your claim ASAP - you have nothing to lose by applying!

My mom (67) just went thru this in January!!! They laid her off after 12 years and she got both SS and unemployment no problem. Her boss also told her she couldn't get both which is TOTALLY FALSE. File your claim right away because it takes forever to process these days. She had to wait almost 5 weeks to see her first payment.

Just to provide some additional clarity here - the confusion often happens because some income sources DO reduce unemployment benefits, but Social Security retirement benefits are not one of them in California. When you file your claim, you'll need: 1. Your employment history for the past 18 months 2. Your Social Security Number 3. Your citizenship/work authorization status 4. Your last employer's information During bi-weekly certification, you'll need to report your Social Security income, but it won't reduce your weekly benefit amount (WBA). Your WBA will be calculated based on your highest-earning quarter in the base period (typically the 12-month period before your last quarter of work). One important note: You must still be able and available for full-time work to qualify for unemployment benefits. So when certifying, make sure you indicate you're able and looking for work.

im getting so mad reading this!! why do employers LIE about this stuff??? my dad's boss told him the exact same thing when he got laid off at 66. its like they try to discourage people from claiming benefits they DESERVE after paying into the system forever!!!!

When you certify make sure you're doing your work search activities each week. They're really strict about this now. You need to apply to jobs or do networking or job training and document it all.

I was in your exact situation last year and couldn't get through to EDD for weeks to ask questions about my claim. Finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Totally worth it because the EDD rep was able to explain exactly how my Social Security affected my claim (it didn't) and fixed an issue that was holding up my payments. Just sharing since the phone situation with EDD is still awful from what I hear.

just be carful when u certify dont make mistakes or they put u on pending forever and good luck reaching anyone lol

Sorry to jump in with something slightly off-topic, but does anyone know if the same rules apply for SSDI (disability) rather than regular Social Security retirement? My sister is in a similar situation but with disability benefits.

To answer your question about work search requirements - you typically need to perform at least 3 work search activities each week. These can include: - Applying for jobs - Attending job interviews - Registering with CalJOBS - Networking with professional contacts - Attending job fairs or workshops Keep a detailed log of all these activities including dates, companies, contact information, and results. EDD can audit your work search efforts at any time, and inadequate documentation could result in benefit disqualification. Also, since you're over 65, make sure you're looking for suitable work similar to your previous position. You don't have to accept jobs that are substantially different from your recent work experience.

One other thing I forgot to mention!!! When my mom applied they asked all these questions about her pension too (which she doesn't have) but they told her some pensions DO affect your unemployment amount while Social Security doesn't. Just in case you have a pension too.

Hey Elijah! I'm 71 and went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my retail job let me go after 8 years. Your supervisor is completely wrong - you can absolutely get both! I've been collecting Social Security for 6 years and had no issues getting approved for unemployment. Just make sure when you file online that you answer all the questions honestly about your Social Security income. The system will walk you through everything step by step. One thing I learned the hard way - start your job search documentation right away even before your first certification. I keep a simple notebook with company names, dates I applied, and any responses I got. The hardest part honestly was just getting through the initial phone verification (took me 3 tries over 2 weeks) but once that was done, everything went smoothly. Don't let them discourage you - you paid into this system and you deserve these benefits! File tonight like others said, because every day you wait is money lost.

I'm so glad you found this community and got the right information! Your supervisor was definitely wrong, and it's frustrating how many employers spread this misinformation. I'm 63 and currently working while collecting Social Security, so I've been following threads like this in case I ever need to file for unemployment myself. One small tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you do file your claim online, have your Social Security award letter handy. Sometimes EDD asks for documentation about other income sources during the application process, and having that letter with the exact monthly amount can speed things up. You can get a copy from your Social Security online account at ssa.gov if you don't have the paper version. Also, don't be discouraged if the job search feels overwhelming at first. There are actually quite a few employers who value experienced workers, especially in distribution and warehouse work where reliability matters. Good luck with everything, and keep us posted on how your claim goes!

Just wanted to add some encouragement here! I'm a benefits counselor who works with seniors, and I see this confusion ALL the time. Employers often don't understand the rules, and unfortunately many older workers miss out on benefits they're entitled to because of this misinformation. You're absolutely doing the right thing by filing - Social Security retirement benefits do NOT disqualify you from unemployment insurance in California. The two programs serve different purposes and you've earned both by paying into the systems. A couple of practical tips for your application: - File online at edd.ca.gov if possible, it's usually faster than phone or mail - Have your last 18 months of employment history ready (dates, wages, employer info) - When they ask about other income, be sure to report your monthly Social Security amount The most common mistake I see people make is not following through on work search requirements. Since you mentioned needing income quickly, make sure you understand that you need to actively look for work and document it. But given your experience in distribution, you should have good prospects. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't deserve these benefits - you paid into UI through your paychecks and you were laid off through no fault of your own. That's exactly what unemployment insurance is for!

I'm so sorry to hear about your layoff, but I'm glad you found this community! As someone who went through a similar situation at 65, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you absolutely CAN collect both Social Security and unemployment benefits in California. The key thing that helped me was being super organized from day one. I created a simple spreadsheet to track my job applications with columns for: company name, position, date applied, contact person, and follow-up notes. This made my weekly certifications so much easier and I never had to worry about EDD auditing my work search activities. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - don't just focus on the big distribution centers. Smaller logistics companies and even retail stores often need experienced workers who understand inventory management and can work independently. I ended up finding a great part-time position at a local shipping company that valued my experience over my age. Also, when you file your claim, don't be surprised if it takes a few days for your account to show up in the system. Mine took about 72 hours before I could log in and complete the initial certification. Just be patient and keep checking. You've got this! After paying into the system for decades, you've earned these benefits. Keep us updated on how your application goes!

I just wanted to add one more important point that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you keep all your layoff documentation! You'll want to hold onto your final paystub, any layoff notice or termination letter, and if possible, get something in writing from HR about the reason for the layoff (workforce reduction, etc.). EDD sometimes requests this documentation later in the process, especially if there are any questions about whether the separation was voluntary or involuntary. Since you mentioned your supervisor made incorrect statements about Social Security disqualifying you from benefits, having official paperwork that clearly shows you were laid off (not quit) will protect you if any issues come up. Also, if your former employer contests your claim (which sometimes happens), having that documentation ready will help resolve things much faster. I learned this the hard way when my previous employer initially contested my claim, but having all my paperwork organized made it easy to prove I was legitimately laid off. Don't let the horror stories about EDD scare you too much - yes, the system can be slow and frustrating, but the vast majority of legitimate claims do get processed eventually. You clearly have a valid claim, so stay persistent and don't give up!

I'm so glad you found this thread and got the correct information! Your supervisor was absolutely wrong - this is such a common misconception that costs seniors thousands in benefits they've rightfully earned. As a retired HR professional, I can tell you that many supervisors and even HR staff don't fully understand unemployment eligibility rules, especially when it comes to Social Security recipients. The fact is, you paid unemployment insurance taxes on every paycheck from that distribution center job, so you've literally paid for the right to collect these benefits. When you file tonight (and definitely do it tonight!), you'll be asked about all income sources including Social Security. Just answer honestly - your monthly Social Security amount will be reported but won't reduce your weekly unemployment benefit in California. One quick tip: after you submit your initial claim, you'll get a notice about your first certification date. Don't wait until then to start your job search! Begin applying and networking immediately so you have activities to report when that first certification comes up. You've worked hard and paid into the system for decades. Don't let anyone discourage you from claiming benefits you've earned. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm 63 and dealing with something similar right now - my employer has been hinting at layoffs coming in the next few months, and my manager made the exact same comment about Social Security recipients not being eligible for unemployment. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea this misinformation was so widespread among employers. It makes me wonder if this is intentional on their part to discourage claims and keep their UI tax rates lower, or if they genuinely just don't understand the rules. Either way, it's completely unacceptable that workers are being given false information about benefits they've paid into for decades. Elijah, I'm so glad you asked this question and didn't just take your supervisor's word for it. Your post is going to help so many people who might be in the same situation. I'm bookmarking this entire thread in case I need to reference it in the coming months. The practical tips everyone has shared - especially about documentation, work search activities, and having the Social Security award letter ready - are pure gold. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and correct this harmful misinformation. This is exactly what community support should look like!

I'm a former EDD caseworker and I have to jump in here because this misinformation from employers drives me absolutely crazy! Your supervisor was 100% WRONG, and unfortunately this happens way too often. Here's the deal: Social Security retirement benefits and unemployment insurance are completely separate programs. You can absolutely collect both simultaneously in California. The ONLY thing that matters for UI eligibility is: 1. You worked in covered employment (which you did) 2. You earned enough wages during your base period (sounds like you did working 40hrs/week) 3. You were separated through no fault of your own (layoff qualifies) 4. You're able and available for work That's it! Your age and Social Security status are irrelevant to UI eligibility. When I worked at EDD, I saw so many seniors miss out on thousands in benefits because their employers told them this exact same lie. Don't let them rob you of money you've EARNED by paying UI taxes on every single paycheck. File your claim tonight at edd.ca.gov - you're leaving money on the table for every day you wait. And please, PLEASE report back how it goes so other seniors can see that this works!